FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
April 18, 2018
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
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Alabama Attorney General
AG STEVE MARSHALL PRESENTS COOSA VALLEY ACADEMY
WITH 2017 SAFE SCHOOL INITIATIVE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
School Receives Award for Third Year in a Row
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall today presented Coosa
Valley Academy with the Attorney General’s Safe School Initiative Award of Excellence
for a private school in the central region of Alabama. Schools were selected as winners
for 2017 from seven* Alabama State School Board of Education districts, as well as
private schools for three regions of the state.
“In these times, we are all intensely aware of the serious responsibility our
schools carry for the safekeeping of our children,” said Attorney General Marshall.
“Recent events have been heartbreaking reminders that we must remain vigilant and
committed to provide the best protections possible in Alabama’s schools. I am pleased
to carry on this important tradition of the Attorney General’s Office, to recognize
schools throughout our state for dedication and excellence in keeping students safe.
Each day that parents leave their children at school, they are entrusting what they hold
most precious into the care of schoolteachers, principals, school resource officers and
other staff. With these awards, we honor those who have achieved particularly high
standards and set examples that others may follow. We are grateful for their service and
commitment to protecting the children of Alabama.”
In presenting the award today Attorney General Marshall said, “The Attorney
General’s Office is proud that Coosa Valley Academy has been selected for the third
year in a row as one of the winning schools in Alabama for 2017. In making this
decision, judges noted many things that distinguished Coosa Valley Academy: the
school’s emergency ‘Go Bags,’ a large number of security cameras, and excellent
communication with law enforcement and parents about how to get information if an
emergency arises.”
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us Page 2 of 2
Headmaster Pamela Lovelady said, “Coosa Valley Academy has received the
Alabama Safe Schools Initiative Awards of Excellence for the third consecutive year and
we appreciate the recognition today from Attorney General Steve Marshall. Coosa
Valley Academy strives each day to commit to provide the utmost protection for our
most valuable assets which are our children. We are honored to be part of the Alabama
Safe School Initiative Program that allows us to review and enhance our safe school
policy. Our community organizations continue to be instrumental in the
implementations of Coosa Valley Academy’s School Safety Program, which include the
Harpersville Police Chief Jimmy Macon, Harpersville Police Department, Shelby
County Sheriff’s Office, Mayor Don Greene, Shelby County Emergency Management
Agency, Coosa Valley Academy Board of Directors, staff, and students. This award is
an honor for our school, students, parents, and community. Together we continue to
strive for excellence in assuring a safe educational environment. This process is
ongoing as we continue to meet the safety demands of our school.”
Attorney General Marshall is presenting awards for the 2017 Safe School Awards
of Excellence winners to the 10 winning schools during April and May. Other winning
schools throughout the state include Nichols-Lawson Middle School in Sylacauga,
Opelika Middle School in Lee County, Pine Level Elementary School in Autauga
County, Satsuma High School in Mobile County, Austin High School in Morgan
County, Simmons Middle School in Jefferson County, Bob Jones High School in
Madison County, Sumiton Christian School in Walker County and The Lakeside School
in Barbour County.
*Alabama has eight public school districts but no submissions were received from District 4.
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